Mexico is home to many diverse ecosystems. Therefore, it is not unexpected that the nation is home to various snake species.
There are many types of snake species in Mexico, but fortunately, most of these types of snakes in Mexico are not poisonous.
Read on for our list of the top types of snakes in Mexico, whether you’re planning a trip there or are just curious.
1. Querétaro Dusky Rattlesnake
In the mountains of central Mexico, there is a poisonous pit viper known as the Querétaro dusky rattlesnake.
Since the rattlesnake prefers high-altitude terrain, its scientific name, Crotalus, refers to its habitat and the Latin word ‘aquilis’, which means eagle.
These large-bodied types of snakes in Mexico typically reach lengths of 50 cm. They come in various colors; males are more greenish or yellowish, while females are more frequently brown or gray.
Given its potent venom, dusky rattlesnakes should always be avoided when seen in the wild.
Their hemotoxic venom can induce swelling, hemorrhage, tissue death, and serious circulatory and muscular systems harm. When angry, the snake will vibrate its tail like other rattlesnakes do.
Fortunately, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll even come across a Querétaro dusky rattlesnake unless you’re climbing in the mountains of central-southern Mexico.
2. Mexican Black Kingsnake
The Mexican black king snake is one of the types of snakes in Mexico. A member of the Colubrid family is one of this subspecies’ bigger snakes.
They have bluish-black scales and glisten somewhat like the interior of an oyster shell.
These types of snakes in Mexico are typically found on rocky terrain or in settings with abundant vegetation, like lush deserts and open areas. In Sinaloa and Northern Mexico, this occurs frequently.
Mexican Black Kingsnakes aren’t restricted to Mexico, despite their name. They may also be found in Arizona, in the country’s southwest.
Because the Mexican Black Kingsnake is a constrictor, it kills by utilizing its size and strength to close its prey’s airways.
Although they are known to consume larger snakes like rattlesnakes, their diet primarily consists of rodents and other small mammals.
Do Mexican Black Kingsnakes pose a threat to people? However, despite their ominous appearance, these snakes are not poisonous.
Although they have been known to bite, they won’t injure you immediately. These types of snakes in Mexico are widely kept as pets because of their calmness.
3. Fer-de-Lance
The Fer-de-Lance snake is one of South America’s deadliest snakes. This poisonous species is a member of the pit viper family, which is also present in Mexico and other South American nations.
This specific species of snake, whose name means “Spearhead” in French, needs to be handled with the utmost care.
It can be seen most frequently near riverbanks and in forested areas. It has been observed to slither into human-populated places, though.
How does a Fer-de-Lance appear, then? Well, these snakes typically have dark markings on an olive-green background.
Nevertheless, the coloration varies based on the animal’s environment. They can get as big as 9 feet long and have a head shaped like a ‘V’ (like a spearhead).
A Fer-de-Lance snake’s venom is extremely lethal to humans and can even be fatal. The average bite from one of these deadly animals actually delivers a whopping 105 mg of venom.
What’s the most frightful aspect? Well, a human could be killed by a dose of 50 mg!
Despite the Fer-de-Lance capacity to instantly kill humans with one bite, we’re not usually on the menu.
Typically, they eat birds, lizards, and rodents. But because it’s one of Mexico‘s deadliest types of snakes, we’d advise staying away just in case.
4. Yucatan Neotropical Rattlesnake
The Yucatan Neotropical Rattlesnake is another of the Pit Viper family of snakes. This species can be found in Mexico, Central America, the Yucatan Peninsula, and all the way up to northern Guatemala.
The habitat where this rattlesnake lives is arid. As a result, it may hunt in any dry open area, including dry woods, tropical woodlands, and other similar habitats.
This snake’s name suggests it rattles when it feels threatened, but why does it rattle?
The Yucatan Neotropical rattlesnake has scales that look rough. Similar to how keratin makes our fingernails, it also makes these types of snakes in Mexico.
The scales on the snake’s tail click against one another when it shakes it quickly from side to side when it becomes hostile. This action is what produces the rattlesnake’s well-known sound.
What is the best way to identify the Yucatan Neotropical Rattlesnake? Unfortunately, this species has no distinctive pattern to watch out for.
In actuality, the coloration of this rattlesnake can vary drastically. The most common varieties are light gray, ash, olive green, and occasionally black.
The diamond pattern that runs from the bottom of its head all the way down to its tail is what you can see, though.
In addition, it has two distinct stripes that extend from the top of its head to the bottom of its body. If all else fails, though, keep an ear out for the infamous rattle of a rattlesnake!
5. Coral Snake
You’d be excused for thinking that this little reptile was cute considering it was a small, vibrant snake. And although some coral snake species may be tiny and non-lethal, others actually aren’t.
Most coral snakes have vivid colors with red and yellow stripes that run the length of their bodies.
These types of snakes in Mexico can be as thin as pencils and range in length from 10 to 20 inches on average. They could be hard to notice as a result, but the vivid hues can help here!
How poisonous are coral snakes, then? The ones that genuinely carry venom, though, can be very harmful.
In fact, they are considered to be one of Mexico’s most venomous snakes! A coral snake bite can paralyze prey and cause breathing issues and muscular paralysis in humans.
Fortunately, a Coral Snake’s modest size implies its teeth are fairly small. It, therefore, makes it difficult for them to bite us.
If you see one of these little types of snakes in Mexico, don’t try to pick it up because most bites from coral snakes happen when people try to handle them.
Coral snakes typically reside underground in woodlands and forested settings.
They pursue prey in these settings, including lizards, insects, and other small snakes. Of course, the fact that they prefer to reside in wooded settings provides them with lots of cover beneath garbage and leaves.
So, be careful where you stand if you go jungle trekking in Mexico!
6. Milk Snake
One of Mexico’s less dangerous snakes is the Lampropeltis Triangulum Sinaloa, also called the Sinaloan Milk Snake.
It is a different species of Colubrid snake that is most frequently seen in rocky, arid regions of the nation. More so in Sonora, Southwest Chihuahua, and Sinaloa.
This particular milk snake species prefers to hunt small mammals for food. Typical inhabitants of its habitat include mice, birds, and smaller reptiles.
The coloring of the Sinaloan Milk Snake is unique. It features vivid white and black streaks on its blood-red body. Although this snake’s coloring suggests danger, it is a remarkably calm animal.
Interestingly, one of the most common types of snakes in Mexico kept as pets is the Sinaloan Milk Snake.
In actuality, it hardly ever bites, and at most, when threatened, it will expel milk with a strong odor as a warning.
A fully developed milk snake can grow to be about 50 inches long, and when combined with its deadly coloring, it can appear somewhat menacing.
Fortunately, it isn’t and is one of Mexico‘s less dangerous snakes.
7. Northern Cat-Eyed Snake
The Northern Cat-Eyed Snake is primarily nocturnal and arboreal. As a result, it’s challenging to locate them in the wild.
This species hunts frogs and their eggs, especially the Red-eyed Tree frog, during its active hours.
Normally, they can devour their prey whole. However, they may kill larger prey when necessary by injecting moderate venom from their enlarged rear fangs.
The Northern Cat-eyed snake is not known to attack or bite people, but when challenged, it will extend its jaws and flatten its head to intimidate.
8. Chicken Snake
Chicken snake is next on our list of types of snakes in Mexico. This arboreal snake can be seen slithering among trees near water or forests.
It can, however, also be observed on the ground, particularly when hunting.
Since the Chicken Snake is a nocturnal species that hunt during the day, expect to see it in Mexico during the day.
Chicken snakes are not considered to be particularly hostile despite being very territorial.
They frequently dive to the ground and hide among leaf litter if startled. When confronted by predators, they nod their heads and extend their necks, becoming larger and more intimidating.
Even though they are non-venomous, they only bite as a last resort.
9. Puffin Snake
This species spends most of its time in trees and is primarily arboreal. However, if food is more plentiful on the ground, it moves to the forest floor to hunt.
Prey items include birds, tiny mammals, frogs, reptiles, and insects, among many other things.
The Puffing snake is also known as the Bird Snake because of its penchant for eating bird eggs. Although not aggressive, this species will bite if startled.
Despite being non-venomous, these types of snakes in Mexico bite can nonetheless rupture the skin and should be avoided at all costs. Avoid a Puffing Snake if you see one in the wild!
10. Mexican Parrot Snake
Mexican Parrot Snakes frequently pick locations close to a body of water. Perhaps you’ll need to search the trees for one.
As a skilled climber and partially arboreal species, it can blend in with the trees’ shady green foliage. They are versatile, though, and will even hunt on the ground.
Mexican Parrot Snakes are highly tolerant of human disturbance and non-venomous. Even when upset or threatened, they are not hostile.
They rarely bite as a defense; instead, they prefer to expose their jaws and scare the opponent.
11. Neotropical Whip Snake
Neotropical whip snake is the next on our list of types of snakes in Mexico found in mangroves, beaches, savannas, and forest edges.
Although they occasionally appear on trees and shrubs, they are mainly terrestrial in nature.
Focusing on the earth is your best option. This long, slender species is simple to confuse with a downed vine.
Although these types of snakes in Mexico are non-venomous, they have been known to bite when startled.
The Neotropical Whip Snake poses a minimal risk to people, but you shouldn’t disregard it! It is renowned for its breakneck speed and extremely observant hunting behavior.
This adaptive predator mostly targets small mammals, other snakes, and lizards.
12. Eyelash Viper
This is the next on our list of types of snakes in Mexico. The fancy-looking Eyelash Viper got its name from a pair of modified scales resembling eyelashes above its eyes.
According to a belief, this viper would wink at its prey after biting them. Of course, snakes cannot genuinely wink because they lack eyelids.
Eyelash vipers are resourceful animals; did you know that? They consume the water droplets that collect on leaves to stay hydrated.
Additionally, they position themselves to hunt mice, lizards, and small birds at night by grabbing onto branches with their tails.
Though normally peaceful, eyelash vipers will attack if they feel threatened. Although no human fatalities have been reported due to their modest venom, their bites can be painful.
So use caution if you come across one!
13. Central America Boa
The Central American boa often lives in moist rainforests but can also be found in drier habitats like savannas.
It is a cunning hunter that moves slowly and is well-camouflaged. At dusk, it ambushes smaller mammals, reptiles, and birds and squeezes them until they pass out.
These types of snakes in Mexico spend most of their existence alone because they are one of Mexico’s most territorial snakes. Boas from Central America only engage with one another when mating.
If you come into one in the wild, remember that it won’t think twice about striking you several times in quick succession. Their bites can be painful even if they are not venomous. Observe your footing!
These snakes are well-liked as pets because of their eye-catching designs and lack of poison.
Additionally, some snake keepers breed their animals to create variants with unusual colors. Even an all-white Central American boa is possible to come across.
14. Common Blunt-headed Tree Snake
This is the next on our list of types of snakes in Mexico. A little, cartoonish snake slithers among low plants in Mexico’s rainforests.
It has peculiar eyes that you can see if you look attentively. They have vertical pupil slits and are absurdly huge.
The Common Blunt-headed Snake has a greater vision than other snakes because of this. They consume the eggs of sleeping reptiles, amphibians, and lizards when awake at night.
Common Blunt-headed Snakes may be curled up and sleeping on vines and bushes when the sun emerges. They prefer cool, moist surroundings and are most active during the wet months.
Common Blunt-headed Snakes are peaceful and have moderate venom. They, therefore, do not endanger people.
But instead of keeping one as a pet, studying this snake in its natural habitat is preferable because it struggles in confinement.
15. Rainforest Hog-nosed Viper
This species is most frequently seen in rainforests, as its name would imply. Because of its color, the terrestrial Rainforest Hog-nosed Viper is challenging to notice among the jungle vegetation.
A Rainforest Hog-nosed Viper is difficult to identify in addition to its concealment due to its nocturnal habits. It hunts frogs, lizards, tiny animals, tiny birds, and other snakes at night.
When you’re in the range of this animal, proceed with utmost caution. A bite from this highly venomous snake can kill someone if it is not treated.
Unfortunately, bite events are common since Rainforest Hog-Nosed Vipers routinely move through plantations and occasionally penetrate gardens.
The symptoms can linger for days and are uncomfortable and frequently severe. Common symptoms include pain and redness around the bite, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, low heart rate, and eyesight issues. If you can, stay away from this poisonous serpent!
16. Speckled Racer
Speckled Racers are types of snakes in Mexico that can survive in various habitats, including forest edges, savannahs, wet lowlands, marshlands, woodlands, clearings, pastures, and even roadside habitats.
No matter the terrain, their distinctive coloring helps them blend in. So, if you inadvertently encounter this snake in Mexico, don’t be shocked!
Despite being non-venomous, this species is extremely aggressive. Speckled Racers are quick and nimble and frequently bite to defend themselves, so take care.
Give it space and take in its stunning coloring from a distance; despite its aggressive behavior, it is comfortable when left alone.
17. Black-banded Cat-eyed Snake
Although it likes forests and clearings, the Black-banded Cat-Eyed Snake can live in cities as long as vegetation is around.
This means this snake in Mexico is usually close to parks, residential backyards, and industrial complexes.
You might be able to locate a Black-banded Cat-eyed Snake nearby, but it’s unlikely. This species only hunts for frogs, skinks, toads, and lizards when it is completely dark at night.
Their venom is mild and harmless to humans. However, it is excellent at neutralizing and killing its prey.
Additionally, even when handled, they hardly ever bite people; instead, they prefer to wait until they are released before slithering away.
If you’ve been bitten, you may experience swelling and discomfort, which are symptoms that a little painkiller can treat.
18. Red Coffee Snake
This is the next on our list of types of snakes in Mexico. In Mexico, savannas, tropical woods, and agricultural areas are good places to look for Red Coffee Snakes.
Although this species is primarily terrestrial, you can see one in a tree because it is partially arboreal.
They feel most at ease foraging for earthworms, snails, and slugs on the ground. The Red Coffee Snake is neither venomous nor aggressive.
They usually rely on their capacity for concealment and intimidation rather than biting to evade predators.
When disturbed, they either flatten their entire bodies or stay where they were found, hoping the threat will move on.
19. Central American Indigo Snake
The Central American Indigo Snake is extremely predatory and opportunistic while being non-venomous.
It won’t think twice about hunting anything, including fish, snakes, frogs, eggs from birds and reptiles, small mammals, and birds and birds’ eggs.
When it comes to humans, this animal will usually try to avoid you by running away or hiding. You need not be concerned about risk because it is not venomous.
On the other hand, it’s preferable to respect the Central American Indigo Snake’s area and leave it alone.
20. Mexican Bull Snake
This is the last on our list of types of snakes in Mexico. Mexican bull snakes hunt on the ground in woods, grasslands, and shrubland.
They frequently visit suburban yards, metropolitan regions, and even agricultural complexes.
This species is accustomed to interacting with humans and rarely bites. Furthermore, it is non-venomous.
The timid and submissive Mexican bullsnake prefers to remain still in the face of danger by hiding.
The threat’s next defensive tactic, if nothing else, is to terrify. It hisses, inflates its body, and moves backward to clear a path for escape.
However, it will bite as a last option if both methods fail. The best course of action is to discreetly study one of these common, docile snakes and then leave it alone.
